Portfolio

Matt Autton MA

Portfolio

2

My name is Matt Autton and I am a designer with experience in product, furniture, service, strategy, branding and marketing design.

I am extremely motivated and enjoy working with all sorts of people from different disciplines to collaborate on projects. I find that one of the best tools to use is humour as it promotes creative thinking and increases my enjoyment and passion in my work. It also enables me to work well in a team, as I am able to improve morale and encourage motivation throughout the group. I am not afraid to try something new and relish a challenge.

This portfolio showcases ten projects that I have worked on in the last 18 months. These projects show that I can bring a fresh perspective and alternative approach to design projects helping to ensure successful outcomes.

Introduction

3

Contents

Post-graduate projects

0.1 - Project Ken

0.2 - Project Barbie

0.3 - Parking Signage & Social Justice

0.4 - Helping the Elderly

0.5 - Raising Awareness

0.6 - Small & Mighty

0.7 - Giving and Getting

0.8 - NCVS

Under-graduate projects

0.9 - Tables

1.0 - Winglight

Work Experience

4

6

8

10

12

14

18

20

22

24

26

28

30

4

The focus of the Multidisciplinary Design Innovation (MDI) course was applying creative and innovative processes to business challenges via a multidisciplinary approach. Extensive research, idea generation and concept development had to be made in order to provide the best quality solutions for the client. This has led me to understand the power of strategic design thinking in order to answer the brief set by the client. Self-development modules were taught alongside these projects in order to develop key leadership and managerial competencies.

I found the course challenging and stimulating, and it has validated my belief in the power of collaborative approaches to work. I found the self-development module very interesting and my understanding of my colleagues skills and abilities have led me to be nominated to lead projects several times. Through multidisciplinary teams, I have successfully tackled live projects for a wide variety of clients in the private, public and voluntary sectors. Clients have included Unilever, Age Concern and Diageo.

Multidisciplinary Design Innovation MA with Distinction

Sept 2010 - Sept 2011

6

0.1 - Project Ken

Date: June - July 2011Client: Unilever

The team was given the task to develop new key brand concepts that target new and emerging markets. By utilising both primary research techniques as well as my product design skills I was able to contribute valid concepts that contributed to a successful presentation to the client. This project helped me to understand the importance of consumer insights as they motivated me to develop concepts to help tackle real issues from real people.

This project is subject to client confidentiality.

7

8

0.2 - Project Barbie

Date: June - July 2011Client: Diageo

This project centred around developing concepts that target logistical issues and recycling incentives in emerging markets. The project helped me to understand the depth of research needed in order to present system design concepts that are both feasible and sustainable. Throughout this project we collaborated with Diageo employees as well as the consultancy company, Matter. This project helped me to appreciate the opportunity that major conglomerates have in helping the less fortunate through their market placement.


10

0.3 - Parking Signage & Social Justice

Date: May - April 2011Client: Parking and Traffic Penalty Tribunal

Brief: Explore how localism can have a positive effect on the continuous tensions surrounding parking regulations. By using the West End of Newcastle as a location, identify common behaviours and feelings toward parking. Develop a series of concepts that will help ameliorate the issues of parking signage and social justice, reducing the number of appeals for parking tickets.

Solution:A series of innovative concepts were developed with the intent to inspire and excite people about the issue of parking. Parking is an issue that, although may not be interesting, is relevant to all of us. Therefore I took the opportunity to explore fun concepts that could be implemented. Solutions were presented to Caroline Sheppard, Chief Adjudicator for Parking Appeals in England and Wales. She enjoyed our ideas so much that she has asked us to present to government in the near future.

11

12

0.4 - Helping the Elderly

Date: May - March 2011Client: Age UK

Brief: To help develop new services and systems that Age Concern can provide, to help tackle the increasing number of lonely elderly people in Newcastle. Main issues are a lack of funding, low numbers of staff and sensitivity surrounding the elderly.

Solution:In this 1-day intensive project, we developed a pay it forward scheme. This is where a mentor would meet up with 2 or 3 elderly people each week to keep them company. This then progresses onto a later stage where the mentor would introduce the elderly to each other. The last stage is where the mentor promotes group meetings to the stage when the elderly are independent. This group would then help others who are lonely and the cycle is repeated. This alleviates the workflow from Age Concern’s current workforce, as well as creating a sustainable platform in which elderly people can support each other.

13

Lonely elderly contact Age Concern to apply

for befriending scheme.

Age Concern link customers with a

volunteer Geographically.

This saves anenormous amount of time

for the Manager.

Age Concern link people on the waiting

list together by supplying peoples

addresses and phone numbers (customer

agreement permitted).

Volunteer goes out to meet customers at their

homes (3>5).

Logistical costs will have to come from the

volunteers pocket.

Volunteers explain group system and

establish friendship.

Group meet up for first time to establish group objectives (pro-active

or social).

Costs of social events will come from customers and

volunteers.

Team leader feed back to Age Concern

detailing potencial jobs that team members

could carry out as well as effectiveness of

group cohesion.

As time passes, group friendship strengthens as they work toward a

common goal.

Volunteer ‘train’ customers to become a

team leader.

Team members take up small responsibilites

such as contacting people in waiting list.

New team leader take on new team.



14

Date: February 2011Client: Ascendant Access Ltd.

Brief:Ascendant Access manufactures and assembles hydraulic access platforms on trucks and vans. They offer a competitive price and high quality goods but were not generating a huge amount of revenue. Furthermore, their branding is devalued because subcontracting hire companies cover the Ascendant Access decals with their own logos. The team was asked to explore and develop ideas that would help tackle these issues.

Solution:One team focused on developing innovative design solutions that enabled Ascendant Access’s brand value to be communi-cated effectively through its products. A second team focused on the company’s opportunities and current position in the market. Heavy analysis into the company’s financial structure was undertaken in order to identify weaknesses in cash flow. As a result, possible ventures and sustainable concepts were devel-oped that would help the organisation generate more revenue. Ideas included environmental modifications to its manufacturing plant and its products, as well as potential joint ventures that would lead to an increase in its targeted demographic.

0.5 - Raising Awareness

16

17

18

0.6 - Small & Mighty

Date: January 2011Client: Unilever

Brief:Create ideas that will help communicate the message behind one of Unilvever’s new product. The deliverable had to take the form of a demo, a small clip in an advert that explains how the product works.

Solution:The team set out to explore everything about the product; from how it works, to how it’s sold at point of purchase. It was important to understand the target market in order to identify the best ways of communicating the benefits of the product. The class presented a total of five different ideas, each of which focus on a unique theme.


20

0.7 - Giving and Getting

Date: December 2010Client: RSA Competition

Brief:Choose an existing charity and design a means by which it can increase its fund-raising and other resources. Make it easier for people to give, or make it easier for charities to ask – or both.

Solution:Considering the current economic climate we developed a system whereby consumers would invisibly donate to a charity through the purchase of an FMCG. The system managed to benefit all stakeholders: Mars through corporate social respon-sibility, (RED) through funding and promotion, and consumers through invisible donations. Furthermore, a competition ran alongside the concept whereby consumers had the chance to do their own bit for the charity with an all-expenses-paid trip to Africa to witness a (RED) project in action. This was an ap-proach that connected target consumers with the brand through online fame and prize incentives.

22

0.8 - NCVS

Date: November 2010Client: Newcastle Council for Voluntary Service

Brief:Newcastle CVS is an independent registered charity that exists to support, develop, promote, connect and represent a thriving voluntary and community sector in Newcastle. The client sought a range of ideas and opportunities that would further enhance the organisations efficiency and appeal.

Solution:A complete re-brand was developed in order to give the organisation a more contemporary and professional look. Systems were developed to streamline their services and make it easier for customers to access the right information. The team addressed NCVS’s internal issues with the suggestion of to-do boards and a re-planning of office interiors. These were all ideas that helped tackle the large customer to staff ratio that they were experiencing.

23

24

Undergraduate: 3D Product Design BA Hons 2:1

Date: Sept 2007- July 2010

My undergraduate studies have helped me to learn an extreme-ly wide variety of skills, from practical manufacturing techniques to visual communication using computer software. This has allowed me to experience the complete life story of a product and its importance and environmental responsibilities in society. Each project required research into materials, manufacturing processes and market demands resulting in the production of high-end product prototypes. Visual communication methods were developed in order to promote the products to the tar-geted markets. The course concluded in the presentation of two of my prototypes at the New Designers exhibition in Islington, London, July 2010.

26

For my final project I designed and constructed a set of side-tables made from Corian and English oak. In order to explore CNC techniques, the detailing of the Corian was manufactured using a CNC router and then filled with coloured resin. The top was then sanded flush and polished to a high finish. The detail-ing of the legs against the Corian brings a feel of retro design and contemporary practice.

0.9 - Tables

Date: July 2010

28

For my penultimate project for my undergrad I designed a floor lamp constructed from rich English Oak and powder coated aluminium. The high quality threaded cord is inset into the stem of the lamp in order to create a subtle detailing that does not detract from its minimalist feel. The 45° angle of the head allows users to adjust the light for use in different environments. Furthermore, its shape and construction lends itself to simple mass manufacturing techniques and compact packaging for logistical efficiency.

1.0 - Winglight

Date: January 2010

30

Work Experience

Intern at Nexus Communications, South Kensington January 16th till February 24th February 2011• Involved in brainstorming sessions that led to the creation of new strategic methods of promoting client’s products and services.• Contacting various stakeholders such as bloggers and journalists in order to develop and run successful campaigns such as Chip Week and Think Outside the Box.• Finding contacts that were key in promoting our clients campaigns such as radio producers and news editors for the national press. • Utilising my graphic design skills to create visual mock-ups that were used in presentations for potential clients.• Helping set up promotional events for journalists and bloggers.

Feature Home Sales Consultant, Various locationsNovember 2011 till January 2012 • Sales consultant for a major national double-glazing company.• Learnt a 13-step pitch that needed to be carefully adapted to suit both the customer’s needs and personality in order to obtain a successful sale.• Responsible for making £50,000 for the company in the 2 months that I was an employee.

Various jobs at Direct Recruitment, Tyne and Wear Sept 2010 till Sept 2011• Front of House staff at Durham Cricket Club: exceptional quality service, tending to customers in executive boxes, communication with staff in other boxes and kitchen.• Bar Supervisor at Newcastle Racecourse: ability to serve customers to a high standard whilst delegating jobs to a team in a fast paced environment, also responsible for stock taking and cashing up.• Waiter at Centre for Life Conferences: high quality silver service and professional courtesy, fluent communication within a team of 20 in order to serve efficiently.

Runner/Assistant at Spencer Projects, LondonSept 2009 till Sept 2011• Worked at three major design events throughout London Design Festival including ‘The Dock’, ‘The Tramshed’ and ‘Design Junction’.• Helping to set up and run the exhibitions and events that were run throughout the week.• Welcoming and assisting members of the press.• Responsible for the welfare of all exhibitors.

‘On the Road’ Design Collective photo shoot, Kent. August 2010• Assisted set designer Brigit Hegarty, and talented photographer Luke Kirwan with photo shoot• Finished images were then exhibited in the Saatchi & Saatchi Gallery in London during the London Design Festival.

31

Achievements

Work exhibited at Saatchi and Saatchi Gallery throughout September 2010

Computer Skills

3D SketchUpAutoCadAdobe PhotoshopAdobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft PowerPointMac and PC literate

References

Phil SlaneySenior Account ManagerTel: 020 7052 8839Mob: 07585 969 023Email – [email protected]

Mark Bailey BA (Hons) FRSA FHEAMDI Senior Lecturer & Programme LeaderTel - 0191 2273443Email - [email protected]

Deborah SpencerDirector, Spencer Projects Tel - 07887 502457Email - [email protected]

Documents

Portfolio